Food additives: sorbic acid (E 200) and potassium sorbate (E 202)
- Food additives
Summary
The European Union (EU) has approved the combined use of sorbic acid (E 200) and potassium sorbate (E 202) in non-heat-treated plant-based mousses. The EU has determined that additional dietary exposure to this additive through this new use is not liable to affect human health.
EU approves combined use of E 200 and E 202 in non-heat-treated plant-based mousses
Commission Regulation (EU) 2025/2060 of 14 October 2025 amending Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards the use of sorbic acid (E 200) and potassium sorbate (E 202) in non-heat-treated plant-based mousses
Update
The European Union (EU) has approved the combined use of sorbic acid (E 200) and potassium sorbate (E 202) in non-heat-treated plant-based mousses. The EU has determined that additional dietary exposure to this additive through this new use is not liable to affect human health.
Impacted Products
Desserts, plant-based mousses
What is changing?
The EU has approved the combined use of sorbic acid (E 200) and potassium sorbate (E 202) as a preservative in non-heat-treated plant-based mousses at a maximum level of 500 mg/kg. This use will be included in the EU list of permitted food additives (Regulation 1333/2008, Annex II) under food category 16.
Why?
The European Commission has determined that this use of sorbic acid (E 200) and potassium sorbate (E 202) is not liable to have an effect on human health. Exposure to these additives will not increase significantly, and will remain under the acceptable daily intake (ADI) established by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA 2019).
Timeline
The new use of sorbic acid–potassium sorbate is permitted from 4 November 2025.
Background
Sorbic acid (E 200) and potassium sorbate (E 202) are regulated as a group, “sorbic acid–potassium sorbate (E 200–202)”, and are authorised for combined use in a wide variety of foods.
The Union list of food additives (Regulation (EC) 1333/2008) lists additives that are approved for use in foods in the EU, and their conditions of use. The Union list may be updated either on the initiative of the European Commission, or following an application from an EU Member State or another interested party (Art. 3(1)).
Resources
EFSA (2019) Opinion on the follow-up of the re-evaluation of sorbic acid (E200) and potassium sorbate (E202) as food additives. EFSA Journal, 17(3): e05625.
Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 on food additives
Sources
Commission Regulation (EU) 2025/2060 as regards the use of sorbic acid (E 200) and potassium sorbate (E 202) in non-heat-treated plant-based mousses
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EU approves combined use of E 200 and E 202 in non-heat-treated plant-based mousses
Commission Regulation (EU) 2025/2060 as regards the use of sorbic acid (E 200) and potassium sorbate (E 202) in non-heat-treated plant-based mousses
What is changing and why?
The European Union (EU) has approved the combined use of sorbic acid (E 200) and potassium sorbate (E 202) in non-heat-treated plant-based mousses. The EU has determined that additional dietary exposure to this additive through this new use is not liable to affect human health.
Timeline
The new use of sorbic acid–potassium sorbate is permitted from 4 November 2025.
Disclaimer: Under no circumstances shall COLEAD be liable for any loss, damage, liability or expense incurred or suffered that is claimed to have resulted from the use of information available on this website or any link to external sites. The use of the website is at the user’s sole risk and responsibility. This information platform was created and maintained with the financial support of the European Union. Its contents do not, however, reflect the views of the European Union.